Thomas P. Lowry

Thomas P. Lowry is a retired psychiatrist and former associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. He has authored several works focusing on lesser-known aspects of history, particularly the Civil War and the Titanic. His notable books include "Curmudgeons, Drunkards, and Outright Fools: Courts-Martial of Civil War Union Colonels" and "The Story the Soldiers Wouldn’t Tell: Sex in the Civil War," both of which explore human-interest narratives often omitted from traditional historical accounts. His more recent work, "Titanic Madness," examines the theory that the ship's captain suffered from Alzheimer's disease, contributing to the disaster.

Lowry's writing career shifted from medical publications to historical nonfiction after he and his wife began researching Civil War records at the National Archives in the mid-1990s. His works eschew grand military strategies in favor of intimate, often overlooked stories - ranging from the psychological toll of combat to the social realities of the era. With a focus on authenticity and engaging storytelling, Lowry highlights themes of human behavior, fear, and resilience. His background in psychiatry lends depth to his analysis of historical figures and events.

Now retired from both medicine and academia, Lowry continues to write with a distinctive voice, uncovering unconventional perspectives on well-known historical events. His books are characterized by meticulous research and a commitment to revealing the untold stories behind major historical episodes.